Sigh: rear strut stuck in its sleeve. How to release/remove?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by MrPete, Jun 24, 2025 at 11:11 PM.

  1. MrPete

    MrPete Active Member

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    OEM rear strut stuck in the metal sleeve at the top.

    Any good way to un-stick?

    In my photo, the strut on the left is stuck in the metal sleeve that's part of the protective cylinder. (The one on the right is just a strut) I've played with this for half an hour so far and not found a way to release the strut. (I *need* those parts for the new strut!)
    20250624_210829.jpg
     
    #1 MrPete, Jun 24, 2025 at 11:11 PM
  2. tweedle99

    tweedle99 Member

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    Visegrip?

    What are the condition of the rubber pieces? Might be worthwhile to just get new ones.
    KYB SM5840
     
    #2 tweedle99, Jun 25, 2025 at 2:51 AM
  3. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    It's the metal sleeve that is keeping it on.
    Try wd40, then vice grips, not TOO tight, to try to rotate it and pull at the same time.
    And a lot of patience.....


     
    #3 ASRDogman, Jun 25, 2025 at 6:58 AM
  4. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    A three jaw gear puller like the Posilock brand would be ideally suited for this issue.
     
    #4 Georgina Rudkus, Jun 25, 2025 at 7:37 AM
  5. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Man what are you guys buying just the raw strut w no spring etc daum . Raw dogging it that's how we did in 80's. Y shape metal in vice push the shaft in the V and yank down .
     
    #5 Tombukt2, Jun 25, 2025 at 8:09 AM
  6. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Gen 3 has plain shocks in the rear, with separate coil springs nearby. (Gen 1 and 2 had rear coilovers.)

    Pedantically, 'strut' is generally used for designs where a shock absorber lives right inside a coil spring, as in the MacPherson strut. Even more pedantically, the ones in front that are also steering pivots are proper MacPherson struts; a plain shock that's tucked inside a coil spring, like the gen 1 and 2 rears, can just be called a coilover.
     
    #6 ChapmanF, Jun 25, 2025 at 10:07 AM
    MrPete likes this.
  7. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Yes we didn't get a chance to change our three series. Shocks . The 2 so far about 22 sets or so all different brands . If components.. in the 3 you may e a few more options from my band others as many cars have that setup a long time now so they got ya covered.
     
    #7 Tombukt2, Jun 25, 2025 at 12:01 PM
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